If you’re due to retire it is because you have chosen to do so. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t experience anxiety – what will it be like? The uncertainty can be stressful and draining.

In my conversations with people in the same situation I’m struck by how many suddenly become very busy. They tell me they have to tie loose ends; that they don’t want to leave a mess, that they have to hand over to their successor, that they have to train them from scratch.

Ever since I decided to work with senior and professional people nearing retirement – who are dreading it, I started a process of my own around my own age – 67. Although nothing in me fits any of the criteria as dictated by social norms such as appearance (I’m blessed with great genes), health and wellbeing, and the way I think and act, I was still wondering “is this it?”